Ellen Kraus Sep 4, 2017:

@ Elena, the link you posted was one of those I had read before posting my answer. What is characteristic for these type of veins is the bleeding: " Downhill esophageal varices are of small caliber, this may in part account for less frequent bleeding compared to uphill varices".Your link furthermore confirms my comments on the vena cava obstruction. Thus I fail to see the reason of your concern.